Money Safety Tips

Money Safety Tips

Credit card and debit card safety
· Report lost or stolen cards immediately to the company that issued you the
card.
· Sign your card on the signature panel as soon as you receive it.
· Protect your cards as if they were cash – never let them out of your sight.
· Don’t leave your credit cards in your car’s glove compartment. A high
percentage of credit card thefts are from car glove compartments.
· Don’t lend your card to anyone. You are responsible for its use. Don’t let your
credit cards be used by others, even family and friends.
· Never write down your personal identification number (PIN) – memorize it.
· Never tell anyone your PIN. No one from a financial institution, the police, or a
merchant should ask for your PIN. You are the only person who needs to
know it.
· When selecting a PIN, avoid picking a number that is easy for others to guess
– for example, your name, telephone number, date of birth, or any simple
combination of these.
· Be sure that you get your card back after every purchase.
· Always make sure that sales vouchers are for the correct purchase amount
before you sign them.
· Always keep copies of your sales vouchers, credit card, and Automated Teller
Machine (ATM) receipts.
· Always check your billing statement to make sure the purchase amounts are
correct. Immediately dispute any charges that you did not make by notifying
your credit card provider.
· Always put disputes in writing immediately when you learn of the disputed
item; otherwise you may be held legally responsible for the entire amount of
the disputed item.
Hands on BankingSM – The Library

· Make a complete list of all your cards and their numbers and store it in a safe
place. Never carry this list with you.
· Don’t volunteer any personal information when you use your credit card, other
than by displaying personal identification as requested by a merchant.
ATM safety
· Think about your personal safety when using an ATM. Because most ATMs
give out cash and many accept deposits, it makes sense to be alert and
aware of your surroundings no matter where or when you use an ATM.
· Memorize your personal identification number. Don’t write down your account
number and PIN and carry it with you. If your wallet or purse is stolen,
someone else could have access to your money.
· When typing in your PIN at the ATM, cover the number pad so no one near
you can see your PIN.
· Always keep your ATM receipts.
· When you’re by yourself, avoid using an ATM in out-of-the-way or deserted
areas. Use ATMs located inside banks or supermarkets where other people
are around.
· Be aware of your surroundings. Is the area well-lit?
· Try to use ATMs that have cameras or other security devices nearby.
· Put your money and ATM card away before you leave the ATM. Always avoid
showing your cash.
· Keep your ATM card away from things with magnets, which can erase the
information stored on the card.
· If your ATM card is lost or stolen, contact your bank immediately.
Mail, telephone, and online safety
· Be cautious when you receive offers to buy over the telephone, by mail or on
the Internet. Be especially careful about deals that sound too good to be true.
Some of these offers may be illegal “scams” designed to cheat you.
· Beware of high-pressure sales people, especially if they tell you the sale must
be made now.
· If you’re on the phone, ask questions. The fewer questions a telephone
salesperson (or “telemarketer”) can answer, the less likely that it’s a legitimate
business. Write down the name, address, and phone number of the
businesses or organizations that contact you. Ask for the names of other
customers who can tell you about their experience with the business or
organization.
· Do not give your account number over the phone unless you initiated the call.
· When in doubt, consult the Better Business Bureau or the U.S. Postal
Inspection Service.
· Notify the post office immediately if you change your address.
· Make sure your mailbox is secure, and promptly remove your mail.
· If you are not receiving mail, call the post office immediately. Some criminals
are able to forge your signature and have your mail forwarded elsewhere for
the purpose of obtaining information that will allow them to apply for credit in
your name. This is known as identity theft.
· If you are told of a forwarding order placed on your mail without your
knowledge, go to the post office to check the signature and cancel the order.
Ask the post office to track down the forwarded mail – it can remain in the
postal system for up to 14 days, so it may not yet have landed in the
criminal’s hands.
· Select one credit card with a low credit limit to use for all your online
purchases. Tell your credit card provider that you do not want them to raise
the limit on this card without your prior written permission.
· When you purchase by phone, for maximum security, use a corded, rather
than cordless phone.
We invite you to contact Wells Fargo for further information and assistance. Visit
our Web site at wellsfargo.com or any Wells Fargo store.